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  1. Tom

    First trip - chuck the bottoms?

    Hello, My Rotala is coming up for its first trim. It was grown from its emersed form and therefore the lower sections are not as healthy-looking as the tops. For a first trim, is it best to chuck the lower halves and just replant the tops? Thanks, Tom
  2. Tom

    Trimming Glosso low

    Hey all, I recently trimmed the front edge of my glosso lawn right down to the runners, as it was looking a little untidy up against the glass. Two days later, I have many more small leaves forming. My question is, how far can I go with heavy trimming like this? Can I cut right back to the...
  3. Tom

    Light, CO2 or something else?

    Thanks for your replies, and the interesting link kadoxu. I lost the fight with the HC, and tore it out. I did, however, replace it with Glosso 3 days ago. I already have a promising number of runners (when the shrimp don't relocate the new plants!). No melting or die-off at all. Looking good...
  4. Tom

    Light, CO2 or something else?

    My HC has struggled from the off - basically everything I planted melted away quite badly within the first week, but most things are recovering now. The main exceptions to this are the HC and the Micranthemum micranthemoides. I totally lost my Bolbitis and Hydrocotyle. Both HC and MM are very...
  5. Tom

    Wabi Kusa advice

    OK, thanks - as long as it won't hurt to trim straight away after submersion.
  6. Tom

    Wabi Kusa advice

    Hey all, I'm using an ADA Wabi Kusa stem mix in my 45P, but it had been in the shop for a little while and is 'overgrown' to say the least. At what point is it ok to give it a trim? Would I be doing unneccessary damage if I trim it right away, or would that help stimulate growth? Thanks, Tom
  7. Tom

    Java fern

    Dry ferts will be the cheapest and probably best. If you've only got low light and no CO2 you won't need full EI dosing anyway which will bring the cost down.
  8. Tom

    Java fern

    The T8's you have should be fine. Are you adding CO2?
  9. Tom

    HC... what a pain

    How old is that carpet Mark?
  10. Tom

    HC... what a pain

    Mark, what diffusion and placement methods are you using then? Standard glass diffusers and lilies? I'm waiting for someone to make some twin-outlet lily pipes - one jet below the surface, the other above the substrate. Tom
  11. Tom

    Dry start - feeling a bit confused ...

    Yes, you want it damp but no puddles. I've had good emersed success with the Fluval plant Stratum, so hopefully you'll be OK. Not sure how the shrimp version is composed though, it may not have much in the way of nutrients.
  12. Tom

    Dry start - feeling a bit confused ...

    If it is a clay based substrate it will absorb moisture, so no need to completely cover with water. There should be no standing water, it should just be damp.
  13. Tom

    Echinodorus bleheri

    Non CO2, regular sand-capped soil substrate. Remove any leaves that start going bad.
  14. Tom

    Echinodorus bleheri

    I found it a little slow to start as it puts down a huge root system, but once it gets going it's unstoppable!
  15. Tom

    HC Woes.....

    Lowering light shouldn't hurt anything - light is where you need to be limited.
  16. Tom

    HC Woes.....

    That may have been your mistake. Make sure flow is as good as possible, plenty of CO2, plenty of ferts and drop a bulb. Tom
  17. Tom

    HC Woes.....

    Give it some time. Is it putting out roots?
  18. Tom

    Hc submersed

    Do you have a drop checker to check CO2 levels? I'd start at 1 or 2 bps and see how the checker responds. It depends on how efficient your diffusion is too, and what method you use. You're going EI aren't you? What substrate are you using? If you have a complete substrate, you might not need...
  19. Tom

    Hc submersed

    It's more about the ferts and CO2 than light. If you go too high with the light to start with you can run into problems. Forget wpg, it's too unreliable and different forms of light have different outputs/intensities over the same wattage. Remember light + ammonia = algae. In the beginning...
  20. Tom

    Hc submersed

    You could even just try one T5 to start with while the plants settle.
  21. Tom

    Hc submersed

    what size tank?
  22. Tom

    Hc submersed

    How much light? Everything is relative. The more light you have, the more CO2 and ferts you will need. Limit your light, especially at the start, and find the balance for CO2 and ferts.
  23. Tom

    Hc submersed

    I found HC much easier to start dry than underwater. Much easier to grow dry in general, and quicker too. But, if you want to fill it straight away there's no problem. Give it plenty of CO2.
  24. Tom

    Hc submersed

    You can start submersed :) DSM just gives it a chance to get some roots grown in before submersion, but either way it will have to adapt to being underwater.
  25. Tom

    staurogyne

    Yep.
  26. Tom

    Accelerated Growth With No Lights...Please explain?

    I haven't had light over my 180l for 3 weeks now, and my Anubias have never looked better with several new leaves each. I might pioneer light-less planted tanks....
  27. Tom

    Confirmation Please

    I would have said its Java, but.I might be wrong.
  28. Tom

    Whats wrong with this tank? Scaping advice welcome!

    Re: Whats wrong with my tank? Should be!! How and when do you maintain the filter?
  29. Tom

    Whats wrong with this tank? Scaping advice welcome!

    Re: Whats wrong with my tank? Or that your flow to that area is insufficient.
  30. Tom

    echinodorus harbii growing big and low

    I likethe comparison to a lettuce, haha! my eemersed sword is doing the exact same thing! the first 5 or 6 leaves are flat to the substrate, and the newer ones are maybe an inch higher now. Maybe it starts low and gets taller over time?
  31. Tom

    Getting Christmas Moss to attach?

    Spikey doesn't cling
  32. Tom

    Getting Christmas Moss to attach?

    Java Moss will, I know that. Not sure about Xmas. My Weeping Moss does seem to attach.
  33. Tom

    How do I propagate my any Anubis?

    You need to cut the rhizome and move the part you want to replant.
  34. Tom

    Echinodorus tenellus - trimming?

    I've found if you trim it halfway, the rest of the leaf will rot - just like a normal Sword. That's the advice Saintly Mark gave me too when I asked the same question.
  35. Tom

    Echinodorus tenellus - trimming?

    You would need to remove the whole leaf as per a normal Sword - if you trim them like grass, the rest of the leaf will die. Tom
  36. Tom

    Discus Safe plants

    Go for a nice deep substrate, and have some Amazon Swords :D
  37. Tom

    Could someone ID this plant for me please?

    Hornwort!
  38. Tom

    Will different moss avoid Algae?

    OK. If I were you the first thing I would do is remove as much of the algae as you can manually with a toothbrush/tweesers, lose both T8 bulbs, then try 3 bps for a little while - see how that goes. It might also help to trim moss back heavily. Hopefully the new growth would come back nice and...
  39. Tom

    Will different moss avoid Algae?

    OK, how much CO2 are you injecting?
  40. Tom

    Will different moss avoid Algae?

    Have you got a picture?
  41. Tom

    Will different moss avoid Algae?

    I find my Spiky Moss is much more susceptible to CO2 related algae than my Xmas Moss in the same tank. I put that down to the Xmas Moss having a lower CO2 compensation point than the Spiky.
  42. Tom

    Trimming Hydrocotyle

    Yeah it is nice. No algae, and very easy!! Does anyone happen to know if Hydrocotyle requires more NPK than most? I've noticed that since dropping EI and just dosing K and trace, it's yellowed and looks rough. I've trimmed it right back to see if anything improves. The rest of the plants are fine.
  43. Tom

    Bolbitis in Mini M size aquarium?

    Thanks Luis, where can you get this from?
  44. Tom

    Bolbitis in Mini M size aquarium?

    For those who have kept Bolibtis heudelotii - Is it manageable in the smaller size layout? Can the leaves be kept compact (under 15-20cm) or would it look too leggy?. I'm thinking about some for the next layout but want something nice, compact and "ferny" around my wood. I don't think Java Fern...
  45. Tom

    Encouraging leaves on lower Staur. stems?

    When my Mini M was covered in BBA and Staghorn, I pulled off the affected Staurogyne leaves. Now it's much cleaner, but the lower parts of these stems haven't sent out new leaves and it looks a bit bare. It's only growing from the top. Will it stay like that, or is there a way to encourage new...
  46. Tom

    Trimming Hydrocotyle

    Indeed I have. It's nothing presentable really, just more experiments. Got some HC and 1-2-Grow Hairgrass doing nicely in there too. [edit] The lid is kept on usually! Cheers, Tom
  47. Tom

    Trimming Hydrocotyle

    Thanks Luis, That's exactly what I've got at the moment, in soil in a bonsai pot. I found it very slow just in the pot, but it's been in a tuppaware pot as well for the last 2 weeks and it's gone mad. Spread about 500x quicker with the higher humidity, no exaggeration. It is pretty slow in the...
  48. Tom

    Trimming Hydrocotyle

    Can you trim all the leaves off, just leaving the runners? Will it encourage new leaves, or should you only trim a few at a time? Tom
  49. Tom

    Yellowing of Leaves - Kinda see through.

    I'm gonna say CO2, even if your drop checkers show green - Dosing EI you shouldn't have deficiency issues, and with the spray bar and 2x Koralias one would hope your flow would be adequate. How do you have the Koralias positioned? How much CO2 are you injecting? If it's not the amount of CO2...
  50. Tom

    Vesicularia ferriei 'Weeping'

    You could probably just leave it in a tub on the windowsil (in water). I think Mark Evans has a moss farm by a window somewhere...
  51. Tom

    What does one do with excess plants?

    Sell for donation on here!!
  52. Tom

    What wood and what moss to make a fake Bonzia Tree

    I think Filipe who did the tank in the first link used an actual dead bonsai. Ask at garden centers if they have any dead ones out back. I would try something like Xmas moss and keep it tightly trimmed, or flame moss for a more sticky-up appearance. Tom
  53. Tom

    whats causing these plants to die (pictures Inc)

    You say you have 1 bubble every 3 seconds in your 48" tank - I have over 1bps in my 14". I would say try turning up the CO2. Also, you might benefit from adding ferts with N, P and K in them. As far as I know, the Ferropol doesn't. Tom
  54. Tom

    Lower parts of stems

    OK, thank you Mark. I'll try and slope them to hide the old lower parts. I'm re-thinking my stem layout too, might get some more HM to add better shape :)
  55. Tom

    Lower parts of stems

    Rather than trimming and replanting my stems now they are growing in submersed form, can I just trim the lower emerged leaves off or are they best left as they are? Would new leaves or stems sprout out or would it be left pretty bare?
  56. Tom

    HC starting to struggle

    I hope so, I'm just panicking that it will all just vanish. I tend to panic at small changes anyway!! I'm going to give it a trim now, some areas are getting a bit tall, whereas some seem to be more affected. It'll be time to trim the stems too some I reckon. Thanks, Tom
  57. Tom

    HC starting to struggle

    I've got bits of HC melting in the Mini M. Just the odd little patches are melting and losing leaves. Other patches have bad new growth and the diatoms are moving in. New leaves are small, and yellow/brown. As far as I can see, things should be covered. Could it still be adjusting? It's only a...
  58. Tom

    How low can you trim stems?

    Cheers guys, sounds good to me :)
  59. Tom

    How low can you trim stems?

    Question's in the title, how low can you keep stems? I have very limited space in my cube, and am not using any hardscape or 'midground' plants so to speak. I have Glosso in the front and stems in the back. I'd like to slope the stems down as low as possible in the front. Can they go down to an...
  60. Tom

    Does anyone know......

    Glossostigma elatinoides. (Hope I spelled that right!!)
  61. Tom

    Does anyone know......

    Weeping moss would probably grow as far as you let it. You could also try Glosso, growing it off a 'cliff' rather than trimming it if that makes sense.
  62. Tom

    Java moss that grows as a dense cushion

    Yeah, just trim it a lot, and it will become really quite compact. If you leave it to grow, it will be quite stringy.
  63. Tom

    Glosso or HC?

    Have a strategic mixture of the two :D
  64. Tom

    Sand for Hemianthus callitrichoides 'cuba'?

    It should be fine in the Oliver Knott Soil.
  65. Tom

    Can anyone help me identify this plant?

    Looks like some kind of Echinodorus
  66. Tom

    Riccia and dry starts

    How does Riccia cope with dry starts? Does it actually have to be in/on water, or is it OK in very humid conditions? I want to merge it in with my HC, Glosso and Hairgrass, and was wondering whether to wait until I fill it or not. Thought it might be easier to spread really thinly during the dry...
  67. Tom

    Online plant retailers

    I've just got some HC from theplanttank.co.uk. I'm happy with them :) Also ordered from plantedtanks.co.uk, but not received yet so can't comment. The Green Machine are good too but pricey
  68. Tom

    Amazon Sword

    Upload to photobucket.com or similar, copy the IMG code it gives you, and paste it here :)
  69. Tom

    Amazon Sword

    Can you get some pics of the holes? That will help people to see if it's bite holes or a deficiency! Bristlenoses are usually quite soft on plants
  70. Tom

    GLOSSOSTIGMA ELATINOIDES

    Yep :)
  71. Tom

    plants transfering whitespot ?

    Fish generally get picked on because they are weak or ill. It's usually best to stay away from them unless you can quarantine them. Stressed, injured or ill fish that are being picked on are are particularly prone to disease. As long as your fish are strong and healthy, you shouldn't transfer...
  72. Tom

    plants transfering whitespot ?

    Whitespot is in every tank, probably all of the time. It's only when the fish become stressed or otherwise susceptible that it strikes and takes hold. Tom
  73. Tom

    Temperature vs. Plant Growth

    Thanks both, good information as usual :)
  74. Tom

    Temperature vs. Plant Growth

    Now I know fish growth can be controlled with temperature being one of the variables, but just how much does it affect plant growth/nutrient uptake? Is there any significant differences between say 15-30 degC? Is it species-dependant? I've never heated a high tech tank, and they stay around...
  75. Tom

    Tenellus with Hydrocotyle?

    It was actually Hydrocotyle verticillata I was thinking of, but looking at that sibthorpides it could work nicely. I haven't tried that before - you're giving me even more options now!!!
  76. Tom

    Tenellus with Hydrocotyle?

    Can anyone think of any examples of someone using E. tenellus and Hydrocotyle together? I can't picture it at the moment - would it work, or just look odd with the different leaf shapes? Would probably add Glosso too if I did it. I've had the hardscape for my Mini M for weeks now, but I keep...
  77. Tom

    Best site for plants.

    I used plants alive, but never will again
  78. Tom

    Best site for plants.

    You tend to get what you pay for, as I found out from my last cheap order! Go Tropica from TheGreenMachine - you might pay more, but you'll likely get much more, and they will be very good quality. Tom
  79. Tom

    Tropica Plant Nutrition Liquid

    On the back of my TPN+ and TPN boxes it says 5ml per 50 Liters per week, but it might be better to divide that amount by 7 and dose the smaller amounts daily. You should then adjust that to your tank's specific requirements. Tom
  80. Tom

    Where to collect Willow Moss?

    Thanks for the replies. I ordered some off eBay just to see what it was like and received it this morning. Does it have different emersed and submerged forms? It looks very different to what Amano labels as Fontinalis antipyretica in his books (that looks more like Java Moss!), although is is...
  81. Tom

    Plant all at once or bit by bit?

    I'm adding to mine as I go along as I haven't been able to use some plants I ordered as they didn't all survive shipping that well, but I would rather do it all at once. Tom
  82. Tom

    Where to collect Willow Moss?

    If Willow moss is Native to the UK, where does it grow? I've never seen any locally - is there a specific area or water type it prefers? Tom
  83. Tom

    Can you trim Vallis?

    Quick question really as per title... Can you just trim the tops of Vallis? The upper halves of the leaves are coated in hard green algae from the previous tank, but the lower halves are nice and healthy. Can I just trim them half way? Tom
  84. Tom

    wabi kusa plants?

    They were found by my pond, I haven't got a clue what they are tbh. They were just left like that, with 100% daily water changes. Was only tiny though
  85. Tom

    wabi kusa plants?

    Tom
  86. Tom

    wabi kusa plants?

    All right, gimme an hour or two to find em on photobucket!! lol They're only silly lil ones - I did a proper article for PFK sometime summer last year Tom
  87. Tom

    wabi kusa plants?

    Agreed, you can use a lot of stuff you find around ponds, providing it doesn't get too big
  88. Tom

    wabi kusa plants?

    Most will have to be kept fairly damp, but I have grown Java moss, HC, and Dwarf Hairgrass in a Wabi Kusa. Tom
  89. Tom

    Has Riccia gone out of fashion?

    I haven't seen any used in ages! I know I did get fed up of it personally, but it's an awesome plant I think. Any thoughts? Tom
  90. Tom

    Where can I get non-Tropica plants?

    I know it sounds daft, but I don't want Tropica!! Too flippin expensive! I don't want to be paying 7.95 for a silly little pot of plants! I'd end up spending 3 days wages filling my tank up in small installments. I'm sure I've upset someone there but hey lol Is there anywhere I can get half...
  91. Tom

    Storing/De-algaeing plants?

    I'm using the Azoo Mirror Bay tank that was used for my "Christmas" setup in PFK. I've got an inch of water in the bottom, and then cling film over the top. Was also wondering if I should have water movement?
  92. Tom

    Storing/De-algaeing plants?

    I've just taken my 40cm apart, and want to keep the moss rocks and Staurogyne going for my next scape as they are so nice, but don't want the hassle of setting up a proper tank for them. The moss also has a little hair algae in it, from when I just stopped fertilising and CO2 and let it go wild...
  93. Tom

    Tom Barr's HC method... for moss?

    Thanks Tom. How would you get nutrients to it, if it won't root in the substrate? Mist occasionally with diluted ferts?
  94. Tom

    Tom Barr's HC method... for moss?

    Will the method of growing an HC carpet before filling the tank up work for Java Moss? I have a scape set up, but don't want to have to do all maintenance this time around. Also, it's one thing having the moss on a wet substrate, but if the tank is sealed and humid, would I be able to tie it to...
  95. Tom

    Amano hill rug act 1-2-3..questions

    It says act 5 is after 1 year
  96. Tom

    Amano hill rug act 1-2-3..questions

    If you look closely at act 4 I think it is, you can see right at the bottom it is brownish I think. May just be the light
  97. Tom

    Amano hill rug act 1-2-3..questions

    I reckon it probably was rotting underneath, it's pretty deep. He admitted himself it was pretty wild :D I love it though
  98. Tom

    How do Aquarium plants know when to flower?

    Lowering the water level will help trigger a lot of plants that flower during or before drought
  99. Tom

    the best red small leafed stem

    :D Or Hemianthus micranthemoides Tom
  100. Tom

    Trimming Stems

    Thanks for the replys :) As in the "I got ripped off" issue? If its that one then I should say I didn't buy it!! :P I have a friend with too much money :lol: I have some powdered K carbonate (I think :? ) mixed and ready to go as well. Looks like I ought to set up my drop checker then...
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